The Last - Pride and Prejudice

Here we are, the last blog in our Jane Austen Challenge, the challenge to read all her books in a year and watch at least one movie related to those books. And...honestly, I'm out of steam. I've read all the books, ages ago (and loved them), and I saw the movies (those were great, too), but the writing has tripped me up.

My excuse list is very long, but basically it boils down to this: there are hundreds of Pride and Prejudice reviews online, so there is absolutely nothing that I can say that has not already been said.

If you want to read a really great review, you can go here:
http://classiclit.about.com/od/prideprejudice/fr/aa_prideprej.htm

or here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/187911?book_show_action=true

So what words can I choose for this very last blog of this series? Jane Austen books are entertaining, thoughtful, funny, engaging. Pride and Prejudice is one of her most famous, and if you only choose one to read, this would be an excellent choice. No, there are no fight scenes, sweeping commentaries on social inequalities, or Fifty Shades style love scenes.

But giving Jane a try brings huge rewards. When you read Jane Austen you will:
- enlarge your vocabulary. After a few chapters you will catch the rhythm of the language and hear the meaning behind the words.
- appreciate the expanded social world where we live. In the 1700s England's rigid social system allowed very few "self-made" men and absolutely no women. With no career mobility or political voice, women (and some men) survived by marrying well. Marrying for love (or even for like) was a luxury.
- make friends. Her genius ability to observe and record personal interactions brings each character right into the room with me. The side comments, whispered to the back of her hand, are the winks of a best friend, leaning in close, sharing a private joke.
- learn that, even after all this time, people have not changed much. Parents still want their children to be happy and settled. Mean girls still try to take the best looking man. Hearts still get broken. A beautifully worded letter of apology will still win the girl. And we all love a happy ending.

I hope you have taken time to read at least one of these books we have reviewed through this last year. For my part, I am richer for taking on this challenge and very glad for it.

What about you? Have you read any Austen? Which is your favorite? Which movie version of Pride and Prejudice do you like? Who is your favorite Elizabeth? or Mr. Darcy?

Next blog we will go back to the Top 100 Books...Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens.

At Long Last: Sense and Sensibility

Hello everyone! Long time, huh? Ah, life...a new job, family ups and downs, and around and around - all keeping me from updating the blog. Every day I make choices - follow my head (working, taking care of the house, family responsibilities) or follow my heart (reading, writing). Most days I follow my head (don't we all?) which doesn't leave much time to chase my heart's call.

And so we are drawn into our latest Jane Austen selection: Sense and Sensibility. Our main characters are two sisters: Elinor (the older one with "sense") and Marianne (the younger, ruled by "sensibility").

Before we go any further, we should talk about the definition of "sensibility". Originally, this word meant sentimental, ruled by emotions, even hysteria. Marianne sees the world through her emotions, speaks before she thinks, pouts, and cries. Don't we all have those days?

Through this story, the sisters' reactions to the ins and outs of their lives are guided by their sense or their sensibility. When their half brother inherits the family home and fortune, turning out the sisters and their mother, Elinor methodically sets an budget and works to find a home to rent within their means; Marianne fumes, fusses, and refuses to speak to their brother and his wife.

When handsome suitors appear (which is soon because this is a Jane Austen novel, after all) Elinor is calm and discreet; Marianne is poetic and impulsive. When those suitors disappoint their hopes Elinor holds her secret hurt, while Marianne weeps, refuses food, and eventually drives herself into a serious illness.

The other characters of Sense and Sensibility also make their own choices to follow their heads or their hearts. Mrs. Jennings and her daughter, Charlotte (benefactors of Elinor and her family), gregariously live with humor and a sometimes unrealistically positive attitude. Colonel Brandon, the reserved older gentleman who gives unselfishly to Marianne, quietly supports and encourages those he loves.

But don't think this story only promotes the English stereotype of the "stiff upper lip" view of the world. In fact, by the end of the story the characters will up-end your preconceptions, and we discover, along with the characters, that the answers are not so clear after all.

Sense and Sensibility is Jane Austen's first published novel. We can see in her writing only the beginnings of the strong character development, humor, and irony that the fangirls love. Still, this is a rich story with all the familiar themes: the love of sisters; the struggle of women who must marry well to support themselves financially; and the unfairness of the inheritance laws in England at that time. Overall, a satisfying read.

I was able to watch Emma Thompson's version of Sense and Sensibilty (1995) on YouTube. The screenplay is brilliant - adapted with an honest love for Austen's writing and just the right amount of explanation for modern times. The cast is full of British superstars. While you watch it's fun to play "Spot the Actors Who Were Also In Harry Potter Movies" - and look for a small part by Hugh Laurie. Absolutely see this one!

Thanks for hanging in there with me. The next (and final of this series) blog will be coming soon - Pride and Prejudice.